Drive Control; Add Gasoline; Before Starting Engine; To Start Engine - Craftsman 917.378070 Owner's Manual

DRIVE CONTROL
• Self-propellingis controlledby holding
the operator presencecontrolbar down
to the handleand pushingthe drive
controllever forward untilit clicks;then
releasingthe lever.
• Forwardmotion willstop when the
operatorpresencecontrolbar is
released. To stopforward motion
withoutstoppingengine, release the
operatorpresence controlbar slightly
until the drive controldisengages. Hold
operatorpresence controlbar down
against handle to continuemowing
Withoutself-propelling.
• To keep drive controlengaged when
turningcomers, push down on handle
and lift front wheels off ground while
turninglawn mower.
Operator presence control bar
Drive Drive
control control
To engage Drive control
ddve control disengaged
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
ADD OIL
Yourlawnmoweris shippedwithoutoil in
the engine.Engine holds 20 oz. of oil.
For typeand grade of oil to use, see
=ENGINE" in Maintenancesectionof this
manual.
1. Be sure lawnmoweris level and area
aroundoil fill is clean.
2. Remove engine oil cap and fill to the
full line on the dipstick.Pouroil slowly.
Do not over fill.
NOTE: Allowoil to settle downinto engine
for accuratedipstickreading.To read
properlevel, tighten engine oil cap, then
remove itto read the dipstick.
3. Reinstallengine oil cap and tighten.
• Chock oil level beforeeach use. Add
oil if needed. Fillto full line on dipstick.
• Change the oil after even/25 hoursof
operationor each season. You may
need to changethe oil more often
under dusty,dirtyconditions.
ADD GASOLINE
NOTE: Before filling fuel tank, remove
and discard the debris plug that is inside
the tank.
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of
87 octane. Do not mix oil with gaso-
line. Purchase fuel in quantities that
can be used within 30 days to assure
fuel freshness.
_WARNING: Experience indicates that
alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or
using ethanol or methanol) can attract
moisture which leads to separation and
formation of acids during storage. Acidic
gas can damage the fuel system of an
engine while in storage. To avoid engine
problems, the fuel system should be
emptied before storage of 30 days or
longer. Drain the gas tank, start the
engine and let it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel
next season, See Storage Instructions for
additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
A CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.
Gasolinefiller cap Engineoilcap
(Discard
debris plug
inside)
TO START ENGINE
NOTE: Due to protoctive coatings on the
engine, a small amount of smoke may be
present during the initial use of the
product and should be considered
normal.
1. To start a cold engine, push primer
three (3) times before trying to start.
Use a firm push. This step is not
usually necessary when starting an
engine which has already run for a
few minutes.
2. Move throttle control lever to fast
position.
3. Hold operator presence control bar
down to the handle and pull starter
handle quickly. Do not allow starter
rope to _r_a_ back.
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